Other Pests

Silverfish

Silverfish are fish-shaped insects with silvery scales covering
their bodies. They are ½ to ¾ of an inch in size. Signs of
infestation include feeding marks, yellow stains and black,
pepper-looking feces on food sources such as wall paper, labels and
envelops. They can be found almost anywhere inside residential and
commercial structures. They prefer room temperature areas with high
humidity. If you identify silverfish at your property, a
professional inspection followed by the necessary treatment should
be done to eliminate the infestation.

Springtails

Springtails derive their name from the spring-like structure
that allows them to jump. They are nuisance pests that prefer high
moisture areas where they can feed on decaying vegetation,
bacteria, pollen, algae and the like. Since they are in search for
moisture, Springtails often make their way into bathrooms, kitchens
and crawl spaces as well as potted plants. Outdoors, they may be
found in damp areas such as mulch, leaf piles and logs. If
Springtails are found, they best way to remove them is to dry out
the area of infestation, after which they will leave or die. If the
area cannot be dried, then the appropriate pesticide should be
applied.

Scorpions

Scorpions are a nuisance pest that requires medical attention if
stung. They are two to four inches long, with a stinger at the end
of their tail-like structure. Scorpions are found primarily in the
Southwest and Southern regions of the United States. They hunt
their prey at night (other insects such as crickets or
cockroaches), and during the day hide under rocks, logs and debris,
or inside burrows and sandboxes. Indoors, scorpions may be lurking
in attics, in bathrooms to find water, or even in folded up clothes
and blankets. A scorpion infestation is controlled by removing
materials where they could hide, damp environments, their food
source and may require pesticide application.

Bees

Bees are a beneficial group of
insects that pollinate flowering plants, supply humans with
delectable honey and control other insect pest species. However,
they can be of medical concern because of the effects of their
sting. Control methods should be done only where bees are
an immediate threat to humans and pets. Bees can be controlled
using the appropriate pesticides and applications.

Carpenter

Carpenter Bees are a nuisance because of their nesting habits in
wood. While they prefer, dry, unpainted wood, they will nest in
just about any type. Carpenter Bees appear similar to Bumble Bees
and males lack a stinger. They become aggressive when humans come
too close, buzzing around a person's face and head. To control
theses bees, the appropriate pesticides should be applied to
woodwork.

Honey

Honey bees are the source of - you guessed it - honey! While
they are important pollinators, they also account for a large
number of insect stings. Honey bees are hairy and orangish-brown,
and dwell in sheltered areas including hives, hollow trees, walls,
attics, etc. They are not aggressive insects, but will attack if
they feel threatened. When traveling in swarms they are fairly
docile, but if the hive is approached the colony will go into
attack mode. Hence, be cautious once entering their environment. If
you are stung and the reaction is more severe than a small welp,
seek medical help immediately. Removing bees can be an extensive,
even dangerous process, making professional help advisable.

Flies

Flies are both a nuisance and a
health hazard, as they carry multiple disease-causing organisms.
Identification is perhaps the most important step in pest control
to apply the most effective elimination strategy.

Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are named for their tendency to lay their eggs on
fruits. They are a nuisance as well as potential disease carriers.
Fruit flies are tan to brownish yellow to brownish black, and
measure up to 1/8 of an inch long. They are attracted to fresh
fruits, vegetables and decaying organic matter. To get rid of fruit
flies, it is essential to remove their breeding site. If they are
entering from outdoors, smaller mesh screens and baited jar traps
can be used. In other cases pesticides can be used, after which the
area should be kept thoroughly sanitized.

House
Flies

House flies, as their name would indicate, are the most common
flies found in and around the home. Like other flies, they are a
nuisance and carry multiple disease organisms. House flies are dull
gray in color with four dark stripes on their back. They are
attracted to smells, moist places to lay eggs and air currents from
buildings. To control house flies, it is important to identify and
inspect the flies' habitat, clean the surrounding area of excess
garbage and apply the appropriate pesticide.

Beetles

Beetles are pests because of the
damage they do to stored household and pantry products, as well as
fabrics such as paper and carpet. To prevent beetle infestations,
it is important to perform proper sanitation methods and storage of
products.

Cigarette

Cigarette beetles get their name for their tendency to attack
tobacco wherever it is stored. They are 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in
size, and light brown in color. Along with tabacco, Cigarette
beetles attack several items including animal products, coffee,
spices, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Drugstore

The Drugstore beetle got its name for being a notorious pest of
medicinal herbs in early drug stores. They are 1/16 to 1/8 of an
inch in size, and reddish brown in color. Drugstore beetles will
attack a range of household items, from food to drugs to hair and
leather.

Sawtooth Grain

The Sawtooth Grain beetle is named for the teeth-like structures
on either side of its body. They are 1/8 of an inch long. Their
brown, flattened body allows them to make their way into packages
and do considerable damage to a variety of foods. These beetles
commonly attack cereals, bread, pasta, dried fruit, sugar and dried
meat.

Carpet beetles

As the name indicates, Carpet beetles are a common pest of
carpets. They are 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch, with a black and white
patterned body with reddish scales. Signs of Carpet beetle
infestation are seen in fabrics with extensive surface damage with
uneven areas and holes. Types of fabrics include wool, hair,
feathers, silk. Carpet beetles especially prefer clothing, carpet
and textiles. To control them, the primary source of infestation
must be located and destroyed. A thorough inspection and sanitation
should also be performed.

Ladybugs

Most ladybugs are beneficial species of the beetle family. They
eat other insects such as mites and mealybugs. A few ladybug
species are leaf eaters, making them plant pests. No direct pest
control of ladybugs is recommended, as they are most often
beneficial insects that cause no health or structural hazards.
Temporary relief can be achieved by vacuuming and sealing possible
entry points.

Stinkbugs

Stinkbugs are named for the strong, cilantro-like odor emitted
when they feel threatened. They are a little over ½ of an inch long
with a shield-shaped body. Stinkbugs are various shades of brown
with lighter markings. They are agricultural pests that can cause
substantial damage to fruit and vegetable crops. Stinkbugs
typically invade homes in the fall. You can prevent stinkbugs from
invading your house with the appropriate treatment. If you suspect
there is an infestation, a thorough inspection followed by proper
sanitation and pesticide application should follow

Crickets

Crickets are nocturnal insects that
are known for chirping. They eat a variety of plant material,
organic matter and occasionally other crickets. While they are
harmless to humans, they can become pests if they enter the home
and damage clothes and other fabrics.

Camel

Camel crickets are named for their humpbacked appearance. They
are about ½ of an inch in size and dark brown in color. Outdoors,
camel crickets are found in cool, moist locations including mulch,
stones and woodpiles. Indoors, they may find their way into
basements, garages and attics. Camel crickets have been known to
eat holes in clothes and other fabrics. Control begins with
removing the cool, moist environments which they dwell. Entry
points in the home should also be sealed.

House

As their name would suggest, house crickets can live
indefinitely indoors. They are light, yellowish brown, and measure
about ¾ of an inch long. When the weather is warm, they are
typically found outdoors in garbage dumps, light poles and house
walls. House crickets enter the home in search of moisture. They
feed on wool, cotton, silk and other fabrics and are attracted to
dirty clothes. Cricket control begins with removing their outdoor
living environments by regular mowing, removing wood piles and the
like. Entry ways to your property should also be thoroughly sealed.
After those measures have been taken, the appropriate treatment may
be applied.